Usually, it's because they're in the wrong education setting or not receiving the extra provision they need.
Local authorities are under pressure to keep costs down and since moving a child to a different SEN school usually means more money, they often elect to keep a child where they are.
The only way to persuade local authorities to act is to pay for the assessments that clarify the child's needs (usually by an educational psychologist but often also Speech and Language or Occupational Therapy). Once the council receive these assessments, 97% of children are moved to the right school.
But these assessments are expensive and negotiating bureaucratic decision making processes and tribunals is often difficult and stressful for parents. That’s where Parents in Need comes in.
They will help with advice and support and even pay for the necessary assessments for low income families.
They are a small, volunteer led charity where every penny raised goes directly to helping families; no overheads, no salaries.
How do they fundraise?
- Parents in Need has a charity shop in Cheam, Surrey which opened in March 2026.
- They put on regular fundraising events in London and elsewhere, often celebrity hosted.
- They have regular donors
- Their Patron, actor and comedian Stephen Mangan won £64,000 on Celebrity Who Wants to be a Millionaire on Christmas Day and £5,600 on Celebrity Catchphrase.
Read more about the collaboration between Earwig and Parents in Need here
